Graphic Art Course

Lesson 1 • Setting Up a Digital Workspace

Guides students through configuring software preferences, file formats, and resolution settings. Ensures a consistent, professional production environment.

Lesson 2 • Typography Basics

Introduces typeface anatomy, classification, and legibility rules. Students gain the vocabulary needed to make informed type choices.

Lesson 3 • Visual Elements and Design Principles

Introduces line, shape, colour, texture, and space as building blocks of composition. Establishes the perceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Sketching for Concept Development

Applies rapid sketching to ideation workflows, generating multiple design options quickly. Connects observational skills to creative problem-solving.

Lesson 2 • Gesture and Contour Drawing

Teaches rapid gesture marks and slow contour observation to capture form and movement. These skills underpin all figure and object rendering in the course.

Lesson 3 • Light, Shadow, and Volume

Explains how light sources create form through value gradation and cast shadows. Students render three-dimensional volume on a two-dimensional surface.

Lesson 1 • Colour Application in Digital Art

Teaches flat colour, gradient fills, and colour correction workflows for digital illustration. Reinforces colour theory from Chapter 1 in a practical digital context.

Lesson 2 • Compositing Layers and Objects

Explains layer organisation, masking, and grouping strategies for complex illustrations. Students manage multi-element compositions efficiently.

Lesson 3 • Raster Painting and Brushwork

Introduces digital brush settings, layer blending, and pressure-sensitive painting techniques. Students create textured, painterly artwork in a raster environment.

Lesson 4 • Vector Drawing Tools and Paths

Covers the pen tool, anchor points, and Bezier curves for precise vector construction. Students build smooth paths that form the basis of professional illustration.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Page Document Design

Covers master pages, paragraph styles, and consistent formatting across multi-page documents. Students produce cohesive booklets, reports, or editorial spreads.

Lesson 2 • Grid Systems and Alignment

Introduces column grids, baseline grids, and modular grids as structural layout tools. Students use grids to achieve visual order and consistency.

Lesson 3 • Pairing Typefaces Effectively

Teaches criteria for combining typefaces that complement without competing. Students evaluate and select pairings that reinforce brand or editorial tone.

Lesson 4 • Layout Composition and White Space

Explores visual balance, focal points, and the strategic use of white space in layouts. Students design compositions that guide the eye and reduce cognitive load.

Lesson 1 • Tonal Correction and Exposure

Teaches histogram reading, levels, and curves adjustments to correct exposure and contrast. Students restore and enhance tonal range in underexposed or overexposed images.

Lesson 2 • Colour Grading and Correction

Covers white balance, selective colour, and split-toning to achieve consistent colour across images. Students develop a recognisable visual style through deliberate colour choices.

Lesson 3 • Retouching and Restoration

Introduces healing, cloning, and frequency separation for skin and surface retouching. Students remove distractions while preserving natural texture and detail.

Lesson 4 • Selections, Masking, and Cutouts

Teaches selection tools, refine-edge techniques, and channel-based masking for precise cutouts. Students isolate complex subjects including hair and transparent objects.

Lesson 1 • Logo Construction and Refinement

Applies grid-based construction, optical corrections, and spacing rules to finalise logo geometry. Students produce technically precise, scalable vector logos.

Lesson 2 • Logo Concept Development

Guides ideation from rough sketches to refined vector concepts across multiple directions. Students generate diverse logo options before committing to a final direction.

Lesson 3 • Colour and Typography in Branding

Establishes brand colour palettes and typeface systems that reinforce identity across touchpoints. Students define primary, secondary, and accent colour roles.

Lesson 4 • Brand Guidelines Documentation

Teaches how to document logo usage rules, spacing, colour codes, and prohibited uses in a brand guide. Students deliver a professional, client-ready standards document.

Lesson 1 • Rendering and Exporting Animations

Explains codec selection, frame rate, and output settings for video and web delivery. Students export animations optimised for social media, web, and broadcast.

Lesson 2 • Animation Principles for Graphic Artists

Covers the twelve principles of animation as applied to motion graphics rather than character animation. Students understand timing, spacing, and easing as design tools.

Lesson 3 • Keyframe Animation Workflow

Introduces the timeline, keyframe placement, and interpolation controls in motion software. Students animate position, scale, rotation, and opacity properties.

Lesson 4 • Transitions and Motion Design Systems

Covers cut, wipe, and dissolve transitions alongside reusable motion design templates. Students build consistent animated systems that match brand identity.

Lesson 1 • Case Study and Project Presentation

Guides students in framing each project with context, problem, process, and outcome. Strong case studies communicate strategic thinking to clients and employers.

Lesson 2 • Career Pathways in Graphic Art

Maps studio, agency, in-house, and freelance career paths with required skills for each. Students identify their target role and plan next professional development steps.

Lesson 3 • Digital Portfolio Platforms and Personal Branding

Compares portfolio website options and teaches personal brand consistency across platforms. Students launch a live portfolio site aligned with their professional identity.

Lesson 4 • Curating and Editing Your Portfolio

Teaches criteria for selecting work that demonstrates range, skill, and specialisation. Students apply editorial judgment to reduce quantity and increase impact.